Atlantic Canadian Imprints: A Bibliography, 1801-1820

Eric L. Swanick is the New Brunswick Legislative Librarian.

Fleming has produced an excellent descriptive bibliography of Atlantic
Canadian imprints for the period 1801 to 1820. Included in this volume
is a chronological listing of books, pamphlets, government publications,
broadsides, and serials for each of the four colonies; newspapers,
separately published maps, illustrations, and tickets and forms have
been excluded. Each entry follows the guidelines of Principles of
Bibliographical Description by Fredson Bowers (as supplemented by the
works of G. Thomas Tanselle). Fleming searched 35 libraries and archives
on this continent and in England for this masterful production. Each
entry contains a quasi-facsimile transcription and details on paper,
illustrations (there were very few), typography, and binding. An
especially important section is “Notes,” for here Fleming may
provide details on one, some, or all of the following: authorship,
printing, publishing, distribution, and sales. This volume is
supplemented by an appendix that lists a number of conjectural works and
a series of indexes by name, title, genre and subject, language trades,
and place of publication. Nova Scotia produced the greatest number
during this period with 184 imprints; New Brunswick had 95;
Newfoundland, whose printing began in 1807, has 15 entries; and Prince
Edward Island, where printing began in 1804, has 44 entries.

My only question is, why is the concluding date 1820? The introduction
gives no reason for choosing this date. It must have been a convenience
for the author or the sponsoring body, the National Library, because
1820 does not represent anything extraordinary in Atlantic Canadian
history. That aside, this is a masterful bibliography—thorough,
detailed, a pleasure to read. It should form the basis for many
additional studies (e.g., an Atlantic Canada imprint bibliography from
1821 to date), and for equally important studies in the area of society,
culture, and print—studies that are so badly needed in Canada. Fleming
is to be congratulated on such an excellent publication.